Blogs... they are so helpful. How did I ever manage to properly avoid my homework before this.
Okay, well, I never got on the plane to milan and currently...just kidding. That was for you Natalie. :)
Well, everyone is really cool. Scott and Finlay are the most adorable 3yr olds in the whole wide world. Scottish/Italian boys. I mean, who can compete? They are so much fun and they are liking me more and more. They like to blame me for disappearing pacifiers and emus... but we are all great friends.
Yesterday I went on a 3hr long walk. It was so cool I have to go out today too. Which is why i'm going back to my homework soon. Fingers crossed i won't get lost. There are no such things as straight roads in Italy. It's like loopy-d-loops. good thing i have a map. Good thing i speak italian...ha...ha...
The food is amazing. I have 3 bags of chocolate in my room and i'm not quite sure who to blame for that. Mom and Bianca and Douglas or Scott and Finlay. It certainly wasn't my idea but, it's amazing none the less. It's like liquid chocolate.
I've had lots of pizza. I'm having more tonight. no gelatto yet though. i keep seeing stores with it. maybe when i'm out today i'll buy some. Today is special because it's the first day i'm going out without anyone...if i get out before everyone gets home. It's already noon.
Well, everything is great and one more thing I've been thinking about lately. Kudos to all the Italians that always keep this stuff on my mind.
Do Latter-day Saints Believe all other churches are false?
I think that this is a common misconception/misinterpretation even among our own people. The 13th article of Faith states "If there is anything virtuous lovely of good report or praiseworthy we seek after these things."
"We see that God is mindful of every people whatsoever land they may be in; yea he numbereth his people, and his bowles of mercy are over all the eart" (alma 26:37) (this is talking about Ammon and the lamanites by the way) The Lord has blessed His children with portions of light and knowledge through most religions.
I was so surprised by how much everyone always wants to talk about mormons. Usually we're comparing. I've compared doctrine with protestants cathilocs and muslims and I haven't even met very many people and it's only Thursday. It's so interesting to learn what these people believe. It's great, they don't even think i'm insane yet. :) They are very accepting. Overwhelmingly so.
Bergamo is a very catholic city. One of the previous popes was born here. Still, everyone is willing to listen and explain and accept things. I've found that I have a lot in common with muslims. I'd never thought about that before.
Statement form the First Presidency (according to LDS.org, this means that it's doctrine :)):
"The great religious leaders of the world such as Mohammad, Confucioous, and the Reformers, as wells as philosophers inlcuding Socrates, Plato, and others, received a portion of God's light. Mortal truths were given to them by God to enlighten whole nations and to bring a higher level of understanding ot individuals...we believe that God has given and will give to all peoples sufficient knowledge to help them on their way to eternal salvation, either in this life or in the life to come.
"We also declare that the gospel of Jesus Christ, restored to His Church in our day, provides the only way to a moratl life of happiness and a fulness of joy forever." Palmer, Spencer J., The Expanding church. 1978
We believe we have a fulness of the Gospel but, not that we have a monopoly on truth. This gives me a lot of peace of mind. Why people can feel the spirit in other churches and why so many things are similar. Like Karolyn commented. Hindu's have similar traditions. I can attest that Islamics do too.
The church is actually miles ahead of me on this. There was a special meeting in 1998 in Washington D.C with the president of BYU and a member of the 12 and 16 diplomats from islamic nations. They translated writings of great Muslim scholars. "LDS officials said they are leading such efforts both to build friendships wiht Muslims and because of LDS doctrine that truth should be sought wherever it may be, even if that is in centuries-old Islamic writings never before available in English" (Deseret News, 7 February 1998, sec. E., p. 1).
It's way cool to learn all of this firsthand. The church is true. A great part of our church is that we believe that others have truth too. It would be very narrowminded to think otherwise. It's not like "na na nanana i'm right and you're wrong. :P" Everyone has the light of Christ. Great things are happening between religions to learn truth and I think that's really cool.
I was talking to Douglas about how with religions there is always a story of persecution, either by the church or to the church. That's so wrong. Why do people do that. I thing that furthers the evidence that religion doesn't make people good. People's nature is good but, everyone chooses light or dark. Doing good is harder but, it's better. Religion, generally helps but, I mean, it's whatever people choose to put their faith and passions into. if it's good they'll do good, if not, they won't. see one of the previous posts.
I just ramble about the same things over and over don't I?
Well i hope that was good and long enough for everyone. It's been fun. Tonight for my class i have to teach something and i'm really nervous. It's different when it comes up in common conversation. my D&C teacher wants this to be more formal. We'll see how that goes. I hope America is having a good day. The whole four hours america has had so far. Its bright and sunny over here :) Everyone always thinks i should be freezing but, it's so nice outside. It feels like March. Anyway, Arrivederchi
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Watching the clouds upside down
Actual account was written at 11:00am January 7th. I just didn't have internet.
Okay, it's me and guess where I am :) Houston Texas on a plane heading to Newark New Jersey. My flight is going to be about 20min late but hopefully, if I book it, I can still make it on the plane to Milan.
I found out when I was flying about 30hours ago. It's been such a whirlwind that I haven't had much time for being terrified. We pretend like it's not big deal but, wow, it's the biggest most daring thing I will probably ever do.
Here we go, taking off. the plane is nicer than the last one. Yeah :)
This morning I flew at 7:50. The clouds and fog were thick. Once we flew over them it was so beautiful. The sunrise and the mountains stick up. I thought it looked like the North Pole or the Artic. Not that i've ever been there but, that's from the pictures and my imagination.
My nervousness is abating. At least regarding flights. Newark to Milan will be another adventure. Rafaella is picking me up b/c Bianca is still in Scotland until tomorrow night. For the Record, I like flying.
One Hour Later
Back. I'm trying to catch up on sleeep. Last night I got max 2hours.
Ground speed: 625mph
Miles to Destination: 610
Altitude: 39,994 ft
Temperature: -54 F
I'm flying over Kentucky. Today the NE edge of Kentucky looks like a huge field of snow as far as the eye can see with a bagillion bumps and footsteps. You know that it's clouds though b/c the cotton is thin and whispy at some parts. Like there are holes in the big blanket.
Flying is very odd because there is no specific time. When it takes five minutes to go fifty miles you don't bother with what time it is because you're going too fast for time to keep up.
things that scare me today:
missing a flight
how do I find Rafaella
etc
Okay, it's me and guess where I am :) Houston Texas on a plane heading to Newark New Jersey. My flight is going to be about 20min late but hopefully, if I book it, I can still make it on the plane to Milan.
I found out when I was flying about 30hours ago. It's been such a whirlwind that I haven't had much time for being terrified. We pretend like it's not big deal but, wow, it's the biggest most daring thing I will probably ever do.
Here we go, taking off. the plane is nicer than the last one. Yeah :)
This morning I flew at 7:50. The clouds and fog were thick. Once we flew over them it was so beautiful. The sunrise and the mountains stick up. I thought it looked like the North Pole or the Artic. Not that i've ever been there but, that's from the pictures and my imagination.
My nervousness is abating. At least regarding flights. Newark to Milan will be another adventure. Rafaella is picking me up b/c Bianca is still in Scotland until tomorrow night. For the Record, I like flying.
One Hour Later
Back. I'm trying to catch up on sleeep. Last night I got max 2hours.
Ground speed: 625mph
Miles to Destination: 610
Altitude: 39,994 ft
Temperature: -54 F
I'm flying over Kentucky. Today the NE edge of Kentucky looks like a huge field of snow as far as the eye can see with a bagillion bumps and footsteps. You know that it's clouds though b/c the cotton is thin and whispy at some parts. Like there are holes in the big blanket.
Flying is very odd because there is no specific time. When it takes five minutes to go fifty miles you don't bother with what time it is because you're going too fast for time to keep up.
things that scare me today:
missing a flight
how do I find Rafaella
etc
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Favorite Quotes
I like Quotes. You may have noticed I can't get enough of them on here. I decided to make a page with just my very favorite quotes. This is really hard for me and I could write whole blogs about all of these quotes and maybe someday I will. For now here are a few. I hope to add to it more.
1- I find this quote so empowering and it gives me goosebumps every time I read it. I heard it for the first time in 9th grade and I have regarded it as my hands down favorite ever since. The girl that gave me this quote talked about it in reference to Nelson Mandela's innaguration speech. The actual quote, by most accounts (98%) is that it's by Marianne Williamson.
"Our Deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond mearsure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightening in shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, its in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." -Marianne Williamson
The rest of the quotes are not necessarily in order. I love them all and they switch orders a lot. But, for now...
2- I don't remember when I decided that this is how I would live my life but, it has been within the last 2-3 months. I have come to the conclusion that there are some things-namely the nature of human character- that I will choose to believe in because it is something that is worth believing in.
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid sould who know neither victory nor defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt
1- I find this quote so empowering and it gives me goosebumps every time I read it. I heard it for the first time in 9th grade and I have regarded it as my hands down favorite ever since. The girl that gave me this quote talked about it in reference to Nelson Mandela's innaguration speech. The actual quote, by most accounts (98%) is that it's by Marianne Williamson.
"Our Deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond mearsure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightening in shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, its in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." -Marianne Williamson
The rest of the quotes are not necessarily in order. I love them all and they switch orders a lot. But, for now...
2- I don't remember when I decided that this is how I would live my life but, it has been within the last 2-3 months. I have come to the conclusion that there are some things-namely the nature of human character- that I will choose to believe in because it is something that is worth believing in.
"Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things that a man needs to believe in the most. That people are basically good; that honor, courage, and virtue mean everything; that power and money, money and power mean nothing; that good always triumphs over evil; and I want you to remember this, that love... true love never dies. You remember that, boy. You remember that. Doesn't matter if it's true or not. You see a man should believe in those things, because those are the things worth believing in." -Hub on Secondhand Lions
3-This one I actually have memorized
"Things will work out. Keep trying. Be believing. Don't get discouraged. Things will work out" -President Gordon B. Hinckley
4- I don't remember when I started quoting this but, then I found it and I thought "oh cool, I wasn't the one that thought of that"
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid sould who know neither victory nor defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt
“It's a dangerous business… going out your door. You step onto the road, and…there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
Happy New Year.
This is my first post in the year 2011. I am days away (unfortunately I don't know how many days away) from changing the course of my life forever.
This time next week I am going to find myself in a completely foreign position to anything I have ever experienced.
I am moving to Italy for the next three months. That's really why I made this blog so that I and my family and friends could see everything I'm learning and becoming. This is kind of like the travelling journal I suppose.
I am going to be around amazing people that I've never actually meant. I'm going to be in a culture I don't understand. I don't imagine how I'll ever be able to shut my eyes. There will be so much to see everywhere! I don't know how I'll ever be able to sleep there is so much to do! I don't know how i'll convince myself to do my homework when just being outside walking down the street will be something so special and prescious and fleeting.
It's almost like going to a new school. It feels like a fresh start. You're with new teachers and new people and you can make up your mind to be whoever you want to be. It doesn't matter if you were a nerd in your old school, you can be a cheerleader now or whatever you want. Nobody has any expectations or stereotypes to put you in yet.
Italy is not like going to any school I've ever gone to. It is more different than my mind can comprehend and I'm just guessing. I am excited for the challenge to be me. To be me when no one is around to know or say that I'm not being me.
People always talk in church about how when they were somewhere else it was hard but, it was amazing because they had the opportunity to stand as a witness at all times. I've never been anywhere like that. Growing up in Utah and then going to BYUI I've always been surrounded by people that believe what I believe and act how I act. The challenge I am confronting is to believe what I believe and act how I act without the support of anyone else. Just me and God.
I feel like going to Italy is a lot more like spreading my wings and leaving 'the nest' then going to college. College felt so natural. It was simply the next step and I wasn't very scared about it and when I was there it felt just...normal. I loved it for that but, that was the test flight. This is the real thing and I'm so nervous and restless for the experience.
To learn about the world and myself all at once is a dizzying thing to contemplate. A kind of experience you can't help but growing from. A kind of adventure that can't help but change your life.
So long America, Utah, Idaho, family, and friends. I don't suppose we will ever see each other again the way we are now. You don't have to go to Italy to grow and change. We'll both be different, or I should say, in three months we'll ALL come back different and hopefully it's all changes we like.
The New Year is about making changes after all. Some of my New Years resolutions are:
Learn Italian (rather important)
Finish at least one book (authoring)
Explore the world-or at least Italy
Learn how to cook at least 3 Italian meals/dishes
Fly in an airplane
Make ten new friends
Write a letter every week
Become more of a perfect square.
This one requires more than a one word explanation. There are four areas I am constantly trying to develop and every year I resolve to make them more a part of me and increase them every year.
1) Grow in Wisdom. Mentally
2) Grow in Stature Physically
3) Grow in Favor with God. Spirituallly
4) Grow in Favor with Man. Socially
Idea came from Luke 2:52
This is my first post in the year 2011. I am days away (unfortunately I don't know how many days away) from changing the course of my life forever.
This time next week I am going to find myself in a completely foreign position to anything I have ever experienced.
I am moving to Italy for the next three months. That's really why I made this blog so that I and my family and friends could see everything I'm learning and becoming. This is kind of like the travelling journal I suppose.
I am going to be around amazing people that I've never actually meant. I'm going to be in a culture I don't understand. I don't imagine how I'll ever be able to shut my eyes. There will be so much to see everywhere! I don't know how I'll ever be able to sleep there is so much to do! I don't know how i'll convince myself to do my homework when just being outside walking down the street will be something so special and prescious and fleeting.
It's almost like going to a new school. It feels like a fresh start. You're with new teachers and new people and you can make up your mind to be whoever you want to be. It doesn't matter if you were a nerd in your old school, you can be a cheerleader now or whatever you want. Nobody has any expectations or stereotypes to put you in yet.
Italy is not like going to any school I've ever gone to. It is more different than my mind can comprehend and I'm just guessing. I am excited for the challenge to be me. To be me when no one is around to know or say that I'm not being me.
People always talk in church about how when they were somewhere else it was hard but, it was amazing because they had the opportunity to stand as a witness at all times. I've never been anywhere like that. Growing up in Utah and then going to BYUI I've always been surrounded by people that believe what I believe and act how I act. The challenge I am confronting is to believe what I believe and act how I act without the support of anyone else. Just me and God.
I feel like going to Italy is a lot more like spreading my wings and leaving 'the nest' then going to college. College felt so natural. It was simply the next step and I wasn't very scared about it and when I was there it felt just...normal. I loved it for that but, that was the test flight. This is the real thing and I'm so nervous and restless for the experience.
To learn about the world and myself all at once is a dizzying thing to contemplate. A kind of experience you can't help but growing from. A kind of adventure that can't help but change your life.
So long America, Utah, Idaho, family, and friends. I don't suppose we will ever see each other again the way we are now. You don't have to go to Italy to grow and change. We'll both be different, or I should say, in three months we'll ALL come back different and hopefully it's all changes we like.
The New Year is about making changes after all. Some of my New Years resolutions are:
Learn Italian (rather important)
Finish at least one book (authoring)
Explore the world-or at least Italy
Learn how to cook at least 3 Italian meals/dishes
Fly in an airplane
Make ten new friends
Write a letter every week
Become more of a perfect square.
This one requires more than a one word explanation. There are four areas I am constantly trying to develop and every year I resolve to make them more a part of me and increase them every year.
1) Grow in Wisdom. Mentally
2) Grow in Stature Physically
3) Grow in Favor with God. Spirituallly
4) Grow in Favor with Man. Socially
Idea came from Luke 2:52
Sunday, December 26, 2010
All the dragons in our lives are princesses
Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.
-Rainer Maria Rilke
This has got to be one of the oddest quotes I've ever read. Odd because it's not just weird, it has substance and is very thought provoking on a deep level.
What if this is how things were. What if this IS how things ARE ?
I don't know everything but, I know that the way I'd solve the worlds problems is teach everyone to love each other. that's what i hope i can convey to my students on some level. it doesn't matter who or what you are. Everyone deserves love and if you really love someone, well, it's like faith.
Faith is more than just believing. Faith is believing enough to act on beliefs. Knowing just enough to go ahead and take a step but, not quite enough where it's easy. Faith is hard. So is love. Love requires action. If you really love someone you cant be dormat. you have to do something. You have to act. You have to be good to them. You have to make them happy because that's what makes you happy and that is what love is. Love is caring enough to put your actions towards someone elses needs. Unless, i suppose if you love yourself.
I think peace on earth is found through the savior. found through God. God is love.
peace is found through God.
God is love.
Peace, therefore, is found through love.
I know that logic thing doesn't always work (Spotty is mortal. Man is mortal. Therefore spotty is a man) but, it does in this instance.
I think the most important thing to teach anyone is love. If my 8th graders fail math, science, and english, but know how to love each other. I won't worry about them one bit.
The test of life is not about math, science, and english. Charity is the test of life. Charity never faileth.
The thing people don't get is that Charity isn't changing the world because of the people who are receiving the charity.
No. That's silly. Let's be honest sometimes you give people EVERYTHING and nothing happens. They don't change, they aren't happy, life isn't better. Sometimes that's what happens. Sometimes onlookers see what you are doing and it touches their hearts but, it just as easily might not. That is NOT why Charity Never Faileth.
I'm sorry for all the caps but, I feel like this is something that people just don't get and if anyone ever reads my blog and reads this I really want them to get this.
There are times when your best efforts to help the people around you will fail. Even the greatest most selfless gift, the Atonement, doesn't help people who aren't willing to accept it. Nothing happens if you get the donut and don't eat it.
Why do the scriptures say Charity Never Faileth? Because, for anyone who has ever posessed even a small portion of this love, it changes everything. It changes how you feel about others and about yourself.
It changes what you will do when someone cuts you off at an intersection, or doesn't give you enough change when you buy a candy bar. It changes what you think of drug-addicts and juvenile delinquints. Charity changes the world but, it's "whoso is found posessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him."
Sunday, December 12, 2010
What this world needs is a new kind of army - the army of the kind. ~Cleveland Amory
I haven't had very many years of experience. I'm not a wise old man that knows and gets the ways of the world and the ways of life. I get a few things and most of them are because someone told me they were a certain way and I didn't believe them, and then my plan didn't work, and so I tried other's plans and found they made sense to me.
Recently I've been really just discovering for myself the nature of people. I am a psychology nut. My friend and I have been discussing the nature of people. Many say that the only thing that keeps people virtuous is religion.
I think the religion helps but, I also believe that people are good. I mean we all have an ability to do good or evil. "Wherefore a man being evil cannot do that which is good." (Moroni 7:10) Now before everyone contradicts this, let me tell you what I think this scripture means.
We all have our agency. It is a major theme to life. In all that we have and all that we do, it is always our choice. I think life is this way so that we can really choose who we want to be. We have to be able to make all our own decisions. Some choices are not moral choices, like choosing what to eat for breakfast. Other choices are.
These are choices that point us in directions. We can either point towards the Light or the Dark. Light/Dark. God/Devil. Good/Bad. Get it?
This is my interpretation of that scripture. If a man is pointing towards dark, then he is choosing evil. (this goes for women too, of course.) He is choosing to worship evil, and to by extension i suppose *Be* evil. If he does something that is good, like really wants to do good, he spins around and points towards the light. Because evil cannot do good. It's impossible. People can do good and evil but, not at the same time. Because, if you are going good in one thing and bad in another, the key is where your heart is. Wherever your heart is, that is where you are.
So, I don't think people need religion to walk in the light but, I think it helps. People can walk in the light without it, religion just makes it easier.
I've met someone recently and lots of people told me that he was "evil". I thought that was really dramatic but, I didn't think it was fair to not see for myself. Well, when you are willing to try and see someone the way Christ would, like really really trying, then, in my experience, you'll get it.
I knew that he was leaning towards the dark. Walking in the dark. I could feel that. Still, there was something more. So much more special was the fact that yea he was walking in the dark but, he wasn't the dark. He could go into the light.
Our first impression of one another wasn't very good. We both assumed what the other one would be like, and think of us. But, well, I tried something. I tried to just be kind. I tried to murder with kindness. and I murdered my enemy and found a bit of a friend.
We aren't tight but, just trying to be nice really impacted him. It made him light up and feel better about himself because he knew what everyone was saying about his "evil spirit". So I guess two things I have learned recently.
1) Everyone, no matter how great or how bad they are has the ability to choose where to position their lives every day. We choose light or dark. Every day, almost every minute. It's our choice and we have nobody to blame but, ourselves for where our lives are directed.
2) The best way to get rid of an enemy is to make him your friend. You'll be surprised how powerful the sword of Kindness is.
To close with a quote from the only English book that I ever loved
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-until you climb inside his skin and walk around in it" -Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbirdd, Written by Harper Lee
Recently I've been really just discovering for myself the nature of people. I am a psychology nut. My friend and I have been discussing the nature of people. Many say that the only thing that keeps people virtuous is religion.
I think the religion helps but, I also believe that people are good. I mean we all have an ability to do good or evil. "Wherefore a man being evil cannot do that which is good." (Moroni 7:10) Now before everyone contradicts this, let me tell you what I think this scripture means.
We all have our agency. It is a major theme to life. In all that we have and all that we do, it is always our choice. I think life is this way so that we can really choose who we want to be. We have to be able to make all our own decisions. Some choices are not moral choices, like choosing what to eat for breakfast. Other choices are.
These are choices that point us in directions. We can either point towards the Light or the Dark. Light/Dark. God/Devil. Good/Bad. Get it?
This is my interpretation of that scripture. If a man is pointing towards dark, then he is choosing evil. (this goes for women too, of course.) He is choosing to worship evil, and to by extension i suppose *Be* evil. If he does something that is good, like really wants to do good, he spins around and points towards the light. Because evil cannot do good. It's impossible. People can do good and evil but, not at the same time. Because, if you are going good in one thing and bad in another, the key is where your heart is. Wherever your heart is, that is where you are.
So, I don't think people need religion to walk in the light but, I think it helps. People can walk in the light without it, religion just makes it easier.
I've met someone recently and lots of people told me that he was "evil". I thought that was really dramatic but, I didn't think it was fair to not see for myself. Well, when you are willing to try and see someone the way Christ would, like really really trying, then, in my experience, you'll get it.
I knew that he was leaning towards the dark. Walking in the dark. I could feel that. Still, there was something more. So much more special was the fact that yea he was walking in the dark but, he wasn't the dark. He could go into the light.
Our first impression of one another wasn't very good. We both assumed what the other one would be like, and think of us. But, well, I tried something. I tried to just be kind. I tried to murder with kindness. and I murdered my enemy and found a bit of a friend.
We aren't tight but, just trying to be nice really impacted him. It made him light up and feel better about himself because he knew what everyone was saying about his "evil spirit". So I guess two things I have learned recently.
1) Everyone, no matter how great or how bad they are has the ability to choose where to position their lives every day. We choose light or dark. Every day, almost every minute. It's our choice and we have nobody to blame but, ourselves for where our lives are directed.
2) The best way to get rid of an enemy is to make him your friend. You'll be surprised how powerful the sword of Kindness is.
To close with a quote from the only English book that I ever loved
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-until you climb inside his skin and walk around in it" -Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbirdd, Written by Harper Lee
Never shall I forget the times I spent with you; continue to be my friend, as you will always find me yours.
It was our last Saturday night in Rexburg. So, we went to Craigos/Pizza Pie Cafe -which has the best Pizza EVER. and then we played Lazer tag and for once I wasn't last. Actually two out of the three times we played I wasn't last. :) It was way fun but, we were all running on basically NO sleep. So, we were all getting a little grumpy. We were back at home and somebody suggested we play this game. It was actually the best game I think we ever played and it was perfect for our last Saturday Night.
So, the game was, everyone go around in a circle and tell one physical and one character trait you admire about each person. It was perfect. I wish more people had been there. It was great because, some people, we just aren't going to see for years, if at all. Because of the way BYUI does things, we will only all be together in the fall and so many things could happen between now and next fall and it's not like we'll ever be living together again. Everything is going to change.
I'm upset about that a little bit but, I guess I haven't invested as much into this as everyone else. I know I haven't, I never really hung out with them before Thanksgiving. Still, you create a family up here and it's sad to leave it and know that it might be for a very long time before you're all reunited. Maybe like forever.
When people were talking about my roommates, they talked about how we just made this house a home. How they are always over at our place because it's more than just our house, we made it into a home. We created the environment for family.
It's so funny because that's not how it was at the beginning of the year. I remember how I had to get up enough courage to have a "family meeting" with my roommates because, there was just no peace at home. They mentioned that too. My roommates all blame me for the family atmosphere. I'm not egotistical enough to say that it was me, because it was everyone, and it could only be everyone, otherwise it wouldn't have worked but, I'm so grateful that my mom and dad are so willing to allow me to experiment in my own home.
I mean, some of my ideas are crazy, but, sometimes they work. And I'm so grateful that I learned what worked before I came up here and that I knew how to make it home. I mean, I knew that we had to all be friends before we could really be happy. We don't all have to be best friends but, there was a respect for each other that just needed to happen.
It takes a family to make a home but, every individual provides different elements for it. I like to think of my symbol as a lighted candle. The light is small, but the best way to spread the light is to allow yours to catch on to someone elses. I'm grateful for all the experiences I have had that allowed me to light this match. Kyrie, Erin, and Savannah were the ones that took over after that but, I'm glad that I played a part in it.
It feels so good to hear these things. I think a lot of us consider the things others said were strengths, to be our weaknesses. Now I am going to be egotistical about my skin tone. I never want to forget what they all said so, here are some of the ones I remember.
Character Traits:
You make everyone happy-if we're being grumpy you come in and for everyone you just change the subject or turn it around.
You fix things not because they affect you but, because you can and it's right
You're pure and innocent and you tone us down
You know what to say to make my day happier.
You are the sweetest person I know
You are so ready to jump in and have fun
You made our house a home
You know how to make people happy
You are always happy/optimistic
Physical Traits:
Skin Tone
You always look so comfortable
Smile
Hair
I will miss you all and more than I would have ever thought. You guys have left a handprint on my heart. Thanks for all the times. The good and the bad. Best of luck to all of you. You are the best.
So, the game was, everyone go around in a circle and tell one physical and one character trait you admire about each person. It was perfect. I wish more people had been there. It was great because, some people, we just aren't going to see for years, if at all. Because of the way BYUI does things, we will only all be together in the fall and so many things could happen between now and next fall and it's not like we'll ever be living together again. Everything is going to change.
I'm upset about that a little bit but, I guess I haven't invested as much into this as everyone else. I know I haven't, I never really hung out with them before Thanksgiving. Still, you create a family up here and it's sad to leave it and know that it might be for a very long time before you're all reunited. Maybe like forever.
When people were talking about my roommates, they talked about how we just made this house a home. How they are always over at our place because it's more than just our house, we made it into a home. We created the environment for family.
It's so funny because that's not how it was at the beginning of the year. I remember how I had to get up enough courage to have a "family meeting" with my roommates because, there was just no peace at home. They mentioned that too. My roommates all blame me for the family atmosphere. I'm not egotistical enough to say that it was me, because it was everyone, and it could only be everyone, otherwise it wouldn't have worked but, I'm so grateful that my mom and dad are so willing to allow me to experiment in my own home.
I mean, some of my ideas are crazy, but, sometimes they work. And I'm so grateful that I learned what worked before I came up here and that I knew how to make it home. I mean, I knew that we had to all be friends before we could really be happy. We don't all have to be best friends but, there was a respect for each other that just needed to happen.
It takes a family to make a home but, every individual provides different elements for it. I like to think of my symbol as a lighted candle. The light is small, but the best way to spread the light is to allow yours to catch on to someone elses. I'm grateful for all the experiences I have had that allowed me to light this match. Kyrie, Erin, and Savannah were the ones that took over after that but, I'm glad that I played a part in it.
It feels so good to hear these things. I think a lot of us consider the things others said were strengths, to be our weaknesses. Now I am going to be egotistical about my skin tone. I never want to forget what they all said so, here are some of the ones I remember.
Character Traits:
You make everyone happy-if we're being grumpy you come in and for everyone you just change the subject or turn it around.
You fix things not because they affect you but, because you can and it's right
You're pure and innocent and you tone us down
You know what to say to make my day happier.
You are the sweetest person I know
You are so ready to jump in and have fun
You made our house a home
You know how to make people happy
You are always happy/optimistic
Physical Traits:
Skin Tone
You always look so comfortable
Smile
Hair
I will miss you all and more than I would have ever thought. You guys have left a handprint on my heart. Thanks for all the times. The good and the bad. Best of luck to all of you. You are the best.
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